Sharm el-sheikh: Hamas announced on Wednesday that it has exchanged lists of Palestinian prisoners set for release with Israel, as discussions regarding a Gaza ceasefire continued in Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Taher al-Nunu, a media adviser to the Hamas chief, confirmed via a statement on Telegram that the exchange of prisoner lists was conducted according to agreed criteria and numbers. However, further details were not provided.

According to Anadolu Agency, the negotiations have been centered on mechanisms to end the ongoing war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners. Al-Nunu emphasized that Hamas has demonstrated positivity and responsibility to achieve progress and finalize an agreement. He also noted that mediators are exerting efforts to overcome obstacles to implementing the ceasefire steps and that a spirit of optimism exists among all parties involved.

The indirect negotiations resumed on Wednesday in Sharm el-Sheikh, with the aim of reaching an agreement to end the conflict in Gaza under the Gaza ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. The talks have attracted high-level delegations, including US envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin is also expected to participate in the discussions.

President Trump had previously presented a 20-point proposal on September 29, which includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Hamas has agreed to the plan in principle.

The conflict has resulted in the Israeli military killing over 67,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The intense bombardment has left the enclave almost uninhabitable, causing mass displacement, starvation, and the spread of disease.